Cups can be Saints’ consolation after Brocton end title hopes

With no fixture last Saturday, Southam United manager Lee Knibbs called in his players for training at Southam College as he looks to pick up at least one trophy in his first full season in charge.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Jan 2014, 11:27 BST
Martin Thompson has failed to make a league appearance for Southam after picking up an injury in pre-season.Martin Thompson has failed to make a league appearance for Southam after picking up an injury in pre-season.
Martin Thompson has failed to make a league appearance for Southam after picking up an injury in pre-season.

Injuries and the loss of key players have taken their toll on Knibbs’ hopes of delivering promotion for the Banbury Road club.

The first blow came before the season had even started when the experienced Martin Thompson picked up an injury in the friendly with Daventry Town which has prevented him making any appearances this season.

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Then, after the opening league match, which ended with defeat at Nuneaton Griff, team captain Tom Leaver left to take up a new job in Manchester.

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A second league defeat was followed by a 7-1 hammering in the FA Cup by Norton United, but Saints finally got off the mark with a 3-1 home win over Coventry Copsewood, with Joss Holford, who played in the friendly for Daventry Town, making his club debut.

This win lifted the gloom and Saints went on to remain unbeaten through another six matches before losing 2-1 at Cradley Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase, having led through a Holford free-kick.

Pawel Tomczak, who had been Saints’ most impressive striker, was injured in scoring a hat-trick at Pershore Town on September 3 and is still some way off a return.

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Along with George Curry and Casey Gaggini, who both featured early in the season, his absence has reduced the options available to Knibbs.

Another blow was the loss of central defender Matt Ross, who departed for Australia after the Cradley match, leaving Saints stretched for central defenders and, as a result, they have conceded too many goals.

Despite some poor performances, notably 3-0 home losses to Studley and Lichfield City, Saints put themselves into a challenging position until a 5-1 hammering at leaders Brocton at the end of December consigned them to a sixth league defeat and, realistically, ended their title hopes.

But, there is still all to play for in three cups as Saints are in the semi-final of the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup and the quarter-final of the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup (away to Bolehall Swifts) and the Birmingham County Midweek Floodlit Cup (home to Castle Vale JKS).

Tomorrow, Saints are at home to Atherstone Town (3pm).